Oven appliance

ABSTRACT

An oven appliance includes a baking stone positioned within a housing at a bottom portion of a cooking chamber. A baffle is positioned within the housing below a lower heating element array. The baffle includes an upper plate and a lower plate. Holes of the upper plate are offset from holes of the lower plate. The holes of the lower plate are contiguous with a regulating air duct of the housing such that a flow of air enters the baffle through the holes of the lower plate. Regulating air exits the holes of the upper plate and is impinged onto a bottom surface of the baking stone in a pattern to regulate baking stone temperature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to oven appliances, such aspizza oven appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pizza ovens generally include a housing that defines a cooking chamberfor receiving a pizza for cooking. Heating elements, such as gasburners, or combusting wood heat the cooking chamber to a suitabletemperature. Certain pizza ovens operate at high temperatures. Forexample, the operating temperatures of such pizza ovens can be higherthan five hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

Uniformly heating food items within pizza ovens operating at hightemperatures poses challenges. For example, high temperature gradientswithin a pizza stone of the pizza oven can unevenly heat a pizza on thepizza stone. However, adjusting heating elements of the pizza oven toaccount for such temperature gradients can be difficult and slow.

Accordingly, a pizza oven with features for evenly heating a pizza stoneof the pizza oven would be useful. In particular, a pizza oven withfeatures for limiting hot spots on a pizza stone of the pizza oven wouldbe useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides an oven appliance with a bakingstone positioned within a housing at a bottom portion of a cookingchamber. A baffle is positioned within the housing below a lower heatingelement array. The baffle includes an upper plate and a lower plate.Holes of the upper plate are offset from holes of the lower plate. Theholes of the lower plate are contiguous with a regulating air duct ofthe housing such that a flow of air enters the baffle through the holesof the lower plate. Additional aspects and advantages of the inventionwill be set forth in part in the following description, or may beapparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of theinvention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance. The oven applianceincludes a housing that defines a cooking chamber. The housing alsodefines a regulating air duct having a regulating air entrance forreceiving a flow of air. An upper heating element array is positionedwithin the housing at a top portion of the cooking chamber. A bakingstone is positioned within the housing at a bottom portion of thecooking chamber. A lower heating element array is positioned within thehousing below the baking stone adjacent the bottom portion of thecooking chamber. A baffle is positioned within the housing below thelower heating element array. The baffle includes an upper plate and alower plate. The upper plate defines a plurality of holes, and the lowerplate also defines a plurality of holes. The holes of the upper plateare offset from the holes of the lower plate. The holes of the lowerplate are contiguous with the regulating air duct of the housing suchthat the flow of air enters the baffle through the holes of the lowerplate.

In a second exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. Theoven appliance includes a housing that defines an open cooking chamber.The open cooking chamber is contiguous with interior room ambientatmosphere about the housing via an opening defined by the housing at afront portion of the housing. The housing further defines a regulatingair duct having a regulating air entrance for receiving a flow of air. Abaking stone is positioned within the housing at a bottom portion of theopen cooking chamber. A casing defines a venting channel. The ventingchannel extends between an entrance and an exit. The entrance of theventing channel is positioned over the opening of the housing such thatcooking fumes within the open cooking chamber are received by theentrance of the venting channel at the opening of the housing. The exitof the venting channel is positioned above the entrance of the ventingchannel. The exit of the venting channel is positioned such that theexit of the venting channel is contiguous with the interior room ambientatmosphere about the housing. The exit of the venting channel isconfigured for directing the cooking fumes within the venting channelinto the interior room ambient atmosphere about the housing. The casingfurther defines an air plenum. The air plenum extends between an inletand a plurality of outlets. The inlet of the air plenum is positioned ata bottom portion of the casing. The outlets of the plurality of outletsof the air plenum are positioned at the venting channel of the casing.The outlets of the plurality of outlets are configured for directing airwithin the air plenum into the venting channel. A smoke reductioncatalyst is positioned within the venting channel of the casing belowthe outlets of the plurality of outlets of the air plenum. A baffle ispositioned within the housing below the lower heating element array. Thebaffle includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper platedefines a plurality of holes, and the lower plate also defines aplurality of holes. The holes of the upper plate are offset from theholes of the lower plate. The holes of the lower plate are contiguouswith the regulating air duct of the housing such that the flow of airenters the baffle through the holes of the lower plate.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a partial front, perspective view of an oven applianceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a side section view of the exemplary oven appliance ofFIG. 1 positioned within a cabinet.

FIG. 3 provides a top section view of the exemplary oven appliance ofFIG. 1 positioned within the cabinet.

FIG. 4 provides a front elevation view of the exemplary oven applianceof FIG. 1 positioned within the cabinet.

FIG. 5 provides a side section view of the exemplary oven appliance ofFIG. 1 with a manifold assembly of the exemplary oven appliance removedfrom a housing of the exemplary oven appliance.

FIG. 6 provides a side section view of a manifold assembly of theexemplary oven appliance of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 provide side section views of manifold assembliesaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 9 provides a partial perspective, section view of the exemplarymanifold assembly of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a partial front, perspective view of an oven appliance100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.As may be seen in FIG. 1, oven appliance 100 includes a housing 110 thatdefines a cooking chamber 112. Cooking chamber 112 is configured forreceiving food items for cooking therein. In particular, housing 110also defines an opening 114 for accessing cooking chamber 112. Opening114 is positioned at a front portion 116 of housing 110, and a user ofoven appliance 100 may place food items into and remove food items fromcooking chamber 112 via opening 114. As may be seen in FIG. 1, cookingchamber 112 is open such that cooking chamber 112 is contiguous with orexposed to interior room ambient atmosphere about oven appliance 100,e.g., about housing 110, via opening 114. Thus, oven appliance 100 doesnot include a door positioned at opening 114 for sealing opening 114.

A baking stone 130 is positioned within housing 110 at a bottom portion120 of cooking chamber 112. Thus, baking stone 130 may form at least aportion of a floor of cooking chamber 112. Food items, such as pizza,may be placed directly on baking stone 130 during operation of ovenappliance 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Bakingstone 130 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. Forexample, baking stone 130 may be constructed of or with a ceramic, clayor stone. In particular, baking stone 130 may be constructed of or witha porous ceramic or porous stone.

Oven appliance 100 also includes a manifold or casing 140. Casing 140 ismounted to housing 110 at opening 114 of housing 110. In particular, asshown in FIG. 1, casing 140 may extend about opening 114 of housing 110.Thus, a user may reach through opening 114 into cooking chamber 112 atcasing 140. Casing 140 may have any suitable shape and/or appearance.For example, casing 140 may be rectangular with flat elements as shownin FIG. 1. In alternative exemplary embodiments, casing 140 may includecolumn shaped elements, rounded elements, etc. Casing 140 may be formedof or with any suitable material. For example, an outer surface 141 ofcasing 140 may be constructed of or with stainless steel, painted steel,enameled steel, copper or combinations thereof.

FIG. 2 provides a side section view of oven appliance 100 positionedwithin a cabinet 50. FIG. 3 provides a top section view of ovenappliance 100 positioned within cabinet 50. FIG. 4 provides a frontelevation view of oven appliance 100 positioned within cabinet 50. Asmay be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 oven appliance 100 defines a verticaldirection V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. Thevertical direction V, the lateral direction L and the transversedirection T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal directionsystem. FIG. 6 provides a side section view of casing 140. Variousfeatures of oven appliance 100 are discussed in greater detail below inthe context of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Oven appliance 100 includes heating element arrays for heating cookingchamber 112 and food items therein. In particular, an upper heatingelement array 102 is positioned within housing 110 at a top portion 122of cooking chamber 112. In addition, a lower heating element array 104is positioned within housing 110 below baking stone 130 adjacent bottomportion 120 of cooking chamber 112. Thus, lower heating element array104 may not be directly exposed to cooking chamber 112, and baking stone130 may be positioned between cooking chamber 112 and lower heatingelement array 104, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Upper and lowerheating element arrays 102, 104 are electrical heating element arrays.In certain exemplary embodiments, upper and lower heating element arrays102, 104 are constructed of or with electrical resistance heatingelements, such as calrods.

As discussed above, casing 140 is mounted to housing 110. As may be seenin FIG. 2, casing 140 defines an air plenum 142. Thus, casing 140 may behollow. Casing 140 also defines entrances 144, e.g., at a bottom ofcasing 140. Entrances 144 are contiguous with ambient air about housing110. Thus, ambient air about housing 110 may flow into air plenum 142via entrances 144. In particular, air handlers 143, such as fans, mayoperate to draw ambient air about housing 110 into air plenum 142 viaentrances 144. Each air handler 143 may be positioned at a respectiveentrance of entrances 144, e.g., at the bottom of casing 140. Utilizingair handlers 143, air plenum 142 may be pressurized relative to ambientair about housing 110. From air plenum 142, the air within air plenum142 may be supplied to various parts of oven appliance 100, e.g., toassist with cooling oven appliance 100, to assist with regulating atemperature of baking stone 130 and/or to assist with drawing treatingcooking fumes from cooking chamber 112 of housing 110, as discussed ingreater detail below.

Oven appliance 100 includes various features for limiting or reducingheat transfer from cooking chamber 112 to cabinet 50. For example, ovenappliance 100 includes insulation 111 within housing 110, e.g., suchthat housing 110 is an insulated housing. Insulation 111 is positionedbetween cooking chamber 112 and cabinet 50. Oven appliance 100 alsoincludes a baffle 160 within housing 110. Baffle 160 is positionedwithin housing 110 below lower heating element array 104. Thus, baffle160 limits or reduces heat transfer between lower heating element array104 and a floor of cabinet 50.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, baffle 160 includes an upper plate 162 and alower plate 166. Upper plate 162 and lower plate 166 are spaced apartfrom each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, a thermalbreak may be formed between upper plate 162 and lower plate 166, e.g.,along the vertical direction V. As discussed in greater detail below,baffle 160 also includes features for directing a flow of air throughbaffle 160 to lower heating element array 104 and/or a bottom surface138 of baking stone 130.

In addition to passive insulating elements discussed above, ovenappliance 100 also includes features for actively cooling oven appliance100. In particular, housing 110 defines a cooling air duct 124, e.g., ata side of housing 110. Cooling air duct 124 may be positioned betweencooking chamber 112 and an outer surface of housing 110, e.g., along thelateral direction L, as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, insulation 111 ofhousing 110 may be positioned between cooling air duct 124 and cookingchamber 112 of housing 110, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, air flow though cooling air conduit124 may assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing 110to cabinet 50 in which oven appliance 100 is positioned.

Cooling air conduit 124 includes an inlet 126 (or series of inlets) andan outlet 128 (or series of outlets). Inlet 126 of cooling air duct 124is positioned at a front portion 116 of housing 110. Conversely, outlet128 of cooling air duct 124 is positioned at a rear portion 118 ofhousing 110. Thus, inlet 126 and outlet 128 of cooling air duct 124 maybe positioned opposite each other on housing 110 and spaced apart fromeach other, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

As shown in FIG. 4, inlet 126 of cooling air duct 124 is positionedadjacent and/or aligned with a first exit 146 (or series of exits) ofair plenum 142. Thus, air from air plenum 142 of casing 140 may flowinto cooling air duct 124 of housing 110 via first exit 146 of airplenum 142 and inlet 126 of cooling air duct 124. A gasket or seal 152is positioned at a junction between housing 110 and casing 140 mayextend between housing 110 and casing 140 in order to assist withlimiting leakage of air from air plenum 142 to cooling air duct 124.

At the junction between housing 110 and casing 140, pressurized ambientair from about housing 110 may flow from air plenum 142 into cooling airduct 124. Within cooling air duct 124, air may flow within housing 110from front portion 116 of housing 110 to rear portion 118 of housing110, e.g., along the transverse direction T, and exit cooling air duct124 at outlet 128 of cooling air duct 124. Air within cooling air duct124 may assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing 110to cabinet 50 in which oven appliance 100 is positioned, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the air fromcooling air duct 124 may also flow between housing 110 and cabinet 50,e.g., from rear portion 118 of housing 110 to front portion 116 ofhousing 110 along the transverse direction T, in order to further assistwith limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing 110 to cabinet 50in which oven appliance 100 is positioned.

An additional cooling air duct 125 may be positioned at an opposite sideof housing 110. Additional cooling air duct 125 may be constructed inthe same or similar manner to cooling air duct 124 and operate in themanner described above for cooling air duct 124. Air duct 124 andadditional cooling air duct 125 may be spaced apart from each other,e.g., along the lateral direction, and cool opposite sides of housing110.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, inlet 126 of cooling air duct 124 defines aheight HI (e.g., along the vertical direction V), and housing 110 alsodefines a height HH (e.g., along the vertical direction V). The heightHI of inlet 126 may be about equal to the height HH of housing 110. Asused herein, the term “about” means with ten percent of a stated heightwhen used in the context of heights. Thus, inlet 126 (or a series ofinlets 126 as shown in FIG. 4) of cooling air conduit 126 may extendalong the height HH of housing 110 at front portion 116 of housing 110.Outlet 128 of cooling air conduit 124 may be similarly sized relative tohousing 110.

Oven appliance 100 also includes features for regulating a temperatureof baking stone 130. In particular, housing 110 also defines aregulating air duct 170, e.g., at a bottom portion of housing 110. Asshown in FIG. 4, regulating air duct 170 includes an inlet 172 (orseries of inlets) that is positioned adjacent and/or aligned with asecond exit 148 (or series of exits) of air plenum 142. Thus, air fromair plenum 142 of casing 140 may flow into regulating air duct 170 ofhousing 110 via second exit 148 of air plenum 142 and inlet 172 ofregulating air duct 170. A gasket or seal 152 is also positioned at ajunction between housing 110 and casing 140 may extend between housing110 and casing 140 in order to assist with limiting leakage of air fromair plenum 142 to regulating air duct 170.

Referring again to FIG. 2, upper plate 162 defines a plurality of holes164, and lower plate 166 also defines a plurality of holes 168. As shownin FIG. 3, holes 164 of upper plate 162 are offset from holes 168 oflower plate 166, e.g., along the lateral direction L and/or transversedirection T. Thus, holes 164 of upper plate 162 may be unaligned withholes 168 of lower plate 166, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Suchdistribution of holes 164 of upper plate 162 relative to holes 168 oflower plate 166 may assist with limiting radiant heat transfer fromlower heating element array 104 through baffle 160.

Holes 168 of lower plate 166 are contiguous with regulating air duct 170of housing 110. In particular, air from regulating air duct 170 may flowinto and enter baffle 160 through holes 168 of lower plate 166. The airmay then flow between upper and lower plates 162, 166 to holes 164 ofupper plate 162, and the air may exit baffle 160 at holes 164 of upperplate 162. After exiting holes 164 of upper plate 162, the air may flowalong bottom surface 138 of baking stone 130 in order to assist withregulating a temperature of baking stone 130. In particular, the airexiting holes 164 of upper plate 162 may assist with cooling bakingstone 130. Inlet 172 of regulating air duct 170 (or any other orifice ofregulating air duct 170) may be metered to regulate the flow of airthrough regulating air duct 170 to baking stone 130.

Holes 164 of upper plate 162 and holes 168 of lower plate 166 may bedistributed in any suitable manner relative to one another. For example,as shown in FIG. 3, holes 164 of upper plate 162 may be positionedproximate a central portion of upper plate 162, e.g., below a centralportion 131 of baking stone 130. Conversely, holes 168 of lower plate166 may be positioned proximate edge portions 169 of lower plate 166. Asanother example, as shown in FIG. 1, baking stone 130 may have a fronthalf 132, e.g., positioned adjacent opening 114 of housing 110. Bakingstone 130 may also have a rear half 134 positioned opposite opening 114of housing 110 within cooking chamber 112 of housing 110. Turning backto FIGS. 2 and 3, holes 164 of upper plate 162 may be distributed suchthat more of the holes 164 of upper plate 162 are positioned below rearhalf 134 of baking stone 130 than front half 132 of baking stone 130. Inparticular, no less than twice as many of the holes 164 of upper plate162 may be positioned below rear half 134 of baking stone 130 than fronthalf 132 of baking stone 130. Further, holes 164 of upper plate 162positioned below rear half 134 of baking stone 130 may be distributed ina diamond, and holes 164 of upper plate 162 positioned below front half132 of baking stone 130 may be distributed in a line. Such distributionof holes 164 of upper plate 162 and holes 168 of lower plate 166 mayassist with maintaining a uniform heat distribution at a top surface 136of baking stone 130 while also limiting radiant heat transfer from lowerheating element array 104 through baffle 160.

From baking stone 130, the air from holes 164 of upper plate 162 isdirected away from baffle 160. In particular, housing 110 includes apair of side panels 180 and a rear panel 182. Side panels 180 arepositioned at and may assist with defining cooking chamber 112 ofhousing 110. Side panels 180 may be positioned opposite each other aboutcooking chamber 112 of housing 110, e.g., such that side panels 180 arespaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. Rear panel182 is also positioned at and may assist with defining cooking chamber112 of housing 110. Rear panel 182 is positioned adjacent rear position118 of housing 110 and may extend between side panels 180, e.g., alongthe lateral direction L.

Side panels 180 and/or rear panel 182 define a plurality of inletopenings 184 and a plurality of outlet openings 186. As shown in FIG. 2,inlet openings 184 are positioned below baking stone 130 and above upperplate 162 of baffle 160, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Outletopenings 186 are positioned at and contiguous with cooking chamber 112of housing 110. Outlet openings 186 may also be positioned below upperheating element array 102, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Inletopenings 184 are configured for receiving air from below baking stone130, and outlet openings 186 are configured for directing the air intocooking chamber 112 of housing 110. Thus, from baking stone 130 andbaffle 160, the flow of air from regulating air duct 170 may entercooking chamber 112 of housing 110 and exit housing 110 at opening 114,as discussed in greater detail below.

Oven appliance 100 further includes features for assisting with ventingcooking fumes and/or smoke into the interior room ambient atmosphereabout oven appliance 100. In particular, casing 140 defines a ventingchannel 154. Venting channel 154 extends between an entrance 156 and anexit 158. Entrance 156 of venting channel 154 is positioned, e.g.,directly, over opening 114 of housing 110. Thus, entrance 156 of ventingchannel 154 may be contiguous with cooking chamber 112 of housing 110,and cooking fumes and/or smoke from cooking chamber 112 of housing 110may enter and flow into venting channel 154 at entrance 156 of ventingchannel 154. Exit 158 of venting channel 154 is positioned aboveentrance 156 of venting channel 154, e.g., along the vertical directionV. Exit 158 of venting channel 154 is positioned such that exit 158 ofventing channel 154 is contiguous with the interior room ambientatmosphere about housing 110 and/or exposed to the interior room ambientatmosphere about housing 110. Thus, cooking fumes and/or smoke fromcooking chamber 112 of housing 110 may exit and flow out of ventingchannel 154 at exit 158 of venting channel 154. In particular, thecooking fumes and/or smoke from cooking chamber 112 of housing 110 mayflow from exit 158 of venting channel 154 into the interior room ambientatmosphere about housing 110. Entrance 156 of venting channel 154 mayalso be positioned above outlet openings 186, e.g., along the verticaldirection V.

Venting channel 154 permits oven appliance 100 to vent cooking fumesand/or smoke into an interior atmosphere of a building housing ovenappliance 100. Thus, oven appliance 100 need not include or be coupledto venting ducts that direct cooking fumes and/or smoke to an exterioratmosphere outside of the building housing oven appliance 100. Ovenappliance 100 also includes features for treating the cooking fumesand/or smoke within venting channel 154, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

Entrance 156 and exit 158 of venting channel 154 may have any suitablesizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, entrance 156 of venting channel154 may define a width WV, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Opening114 of housing 110 may also define a width WO, e.g., along a lateraldirection. The width WO of opening 114 may be substantially equal to thewidth WV of venting channel 154. As used herein, the term“substantially” means within ten percent of the stated width when usedin the context of widths. Exit 158 of venting channel 154 may besimilarly sized relative to opening 114 of housing 110.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 includes a smoke reductioncatalyst 190. Smoke reduction catalyst 190 is positioned within ventingchannel 154 of casing 140, e.g., at entrance 156 of venting channel 154.Smoke reduction catalyst 190 is configured for reacting with cookingfumes and/or smoke within venting channel 154 in order to reduceemission of undesirable material from venting channel 154. Smokereduction catalyst 190 may be any suitable smoke reduction catalyst. Forexample, smoke reduction catalyst 190 may include ceramic plates coatedwith a noble (non-reactive) metal, such as palladium. The ceramic platesof smoke reduction catalyst 190 may form a honeycomb or other suitablehigh surface area pattern. Insulation 191 is disposed within casing 140opposite smoke reduction catalyst 190. Insulation 191 may assist withmaintaining smoke reduction catalyst 190 at a suitable temperature.

Turning now to FIG. 6, oven appliance 100 may also include features forassisting with drawing cooking fumes and/or smoke (shown with arrow C)into or through venting channel 154. For example, casing 140 defines athird exit 150 (or series of exits) of air plenum 142. Third exit 150 ofair plenum 142 is positioned at or adjacent venting channel 154. Thus,air from air plenum 142 of casing 140 (shown with arrows A) may flownear or into venting channel 154 via third exit 150 of air plenum 142.Third exit 150 of air plenum 142 is positioned above entrance 156 ofventing channel 154, e.g., along the vertical direction V, on casing140. Thus, air exiting air plenum 142 at third exit 150 of air plenum142 may entrain or draw gases, such as cooking fumes and/or smoke, intoentrance 156 of venting channel 154 or through venting channel 154. Asshown in FIG. 6, third exit 150 of air plenum 142 may be positioned attop portion of casing 140 adjacent exit 158 of venting channel 154. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, other positions for third exit 150 ofair plenum 142 may be used in alternative exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 provide side section views of casings 700, 800 and 900according to various exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter. FIG. 9 provides a partial perspective, section view of casing900. Casing 700, casing 800 and casing 900 include similar components ascasing 140 and may be constructed and operate in the same or similarmanner to casing 140 described above. Differences in the arrangementand/or features of components of casing 700, casing 800 and casing 900are discussed in greater detail below.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 9, in conduits 700 and conduit 900, at leastsome of the openings of third exit 150 of air plenum 142 may bepositioned at venting channel 154, e.g., such that third exit 150 of airplenum 142 is contiguous with venting channel 154. Thus, air exiting airplenum 142 at third exit 150 of air plenum 142 may flow into ventingchannel 154 and entrain or draw gases, such as cooking fumes and/orsmoke, into entrance 156 of venting channel 154 or through ventingchannel 154. In addition, air exiting air plenum 142 at third exit 150of air plenum 142 may also assist with cooling the cooking fumes and/orsmoke flowing through or out of venting channel 154. Third exit 150 ofair plenum 142 may also be formed or oriented such that air exiting airplenum 142 at third exit 150 of air plenum 142 flows towards exit 158 ofventing channel 154, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. Inaddition, smoke reduction catalyst 190 may be positioned below thirdexit 150 of air plenum 142 within venting channel 154, e.g., along thevertical direction V.

As shown in FIG. 7, oven appliance 100 may include a catalyst heatingelement 192 to facilitate operation of smoke reduction catalyst 190.Catalyst heating element 192 is also positioned at smoke reductioncatalyst 190 and may be an electrical heating element, such as anelectric resistance heating elements, that is operable to heat smokereduction catalyst 190. As will be understood by those skilled in theart, smoke reduction catalyst 190 may be more efficient and/or effectiveat reacting with cooking fumes and/or smoke within venting channel 154when heated above a temperature threshold.

Turning now to FIG. 8, in conduit 800, an air handler 194 is positionedwithin venting channel 154. Air handler 194 is operable to draw gases,such as cooking fumes and/or smoke, into entrance 156 of venting channel154 or through venting channel 154. Thus, air handler 194 may beprovided to actively draw cooking fumes and/or smoke into entrance 156of venting channel 154 or through venting channel 154.

FIG. 5 provides a side section view of oven appliance 100 with casing140 of oven appliance 100 removed from housing 110 of oven appliance100. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, casing 140 is removable from housing 110.In such a manner, a user may select a casing having a desired appearanceand mount such casing to a common or uniform housing.

Casing 140 may be removably mounted to housing 110 using any suitablemethod or mechanism. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, oven appliance 100may include a plurality of fasteners 196 to assist with mounting casing140 to housing 110. Casing 140 has a flange 198 that extends towardshousing 110, e.g., along the transverse direction T, proximate or atopening 114 of housing 110. Fasteners 196 may extend through flange 198into housing 110 in order to mount casing 140 to housing 110. To removecasing 140 from housing 110, fasteners 196 may be withdrawn from housing110.

With casing 140 removed from housing 110, any suitable casing may bemounted to housing 110. Thus, a plurality of interchangeable casings maybe provided, in certain exemplary embodiments. Each casing of theplurality of interchangeable casings may have a unique cosmeticappearance, and a user of oven appliance 100 may select his or herdesired casing from the plurality of interchangeable casings and mountthe desired casing to housing 110, e.g., with fasteners 196, asdiscussed above.

Oven appliance 100 also includes features for assisting with regulatingheating of cooking chamber 112 of housing 110 with upper and lowerheating element arrays 102, 104. As shown in FIG. 2, upper heatingelement array 102 has a first zone 105 and a second zone 106. Ovenappliance 100 also includes a pair of upper temperature sensors 206.Each temperature sensor of upper temperature sensors 206 is positionedat or adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones 105, 106of upper heating element array 102. Lower heating element array 104 alsohas a first zone 107 and a second zone 108. Oven appliance 100 alsoincludes a pair of lower temperature sensors 208. Each temperaturesensor of lower temperature sensors 208 is positioned at or adjacent arespective one of the first and second zones 107, 108 of lower heatingelement array 104.

Lower temperature sensors 208 may be positioned within baking stone 130,as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, lower temperature sensors 208 may be embeddedwithin the material of baking stone 130, and temperature measurementsfrom lower temperature sensors 208 may correspond to the temperature ofbaking stone 130. Lower temperature sensors 208 may be positioned withinbaking stone 130 at a middle portion of baking stone 130, e.g., alongthe vertical direction V. In alternative exemplary embodiments, lowertemperature sensors 208 may be positioned within baking stone 130 at oradjacent a top portion and/or a bottom portion of baking stone 130,e.g., along the vertical direction V. As will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, baking stone 130 may have a relatively low thermalconductivity, such that the temperature of baking stone 130 changesslowly. Thus, positioning lower temperature sensors 208 at a suitablevertical location within baking stone 130 may permit accuratemeasurement of the temperature of baking stone 130, e.g., at top surface136 and bottom surface 138 of baking stone 130. In particular, having alower temperature sensors 208 at both top surface 136 and bottom surface138 of baking stone 130 may assist with regulating heating of cookingchamber 112 of housing 110.

First zone 105 of upper heating element array 102 may be positioned ator adjacent a front portion of cooking chamber 112, e.g., at or adjacentopening 114 of housing 110 and/or above front half 132 of basking stone130. First zone 107 of lower heating element array 104 may be positionedbelow baking stone 130 adjacent the front portion of cooking chamber112, e.g., below front half 132 of basking stone 130. Second zone 106 ofupper heating element array 102 may be positioned at or adjacent a rearportion of cooking chamber 112, e.g., opposite opening 114 of housing110 and/or above rear half 134 of basking stone 130. Second zone 108 oflower heating element array 104 may be positioned below baking stone 130adjacent the rear portion of cooking chamber 112, e.g., below rear half134 of basking stone 130.

Oven appliance 100 also includes a controller 204 for providing desiredfunctionality for oven appliance 100. For instance, as will be describedbelow, the controller 204 may be configured to control the activationand deactivation of upper and lower heating element arrays 102, 104 inorder to regulate heating of cooking chamber 112 with upper and lowerheating element arrays 102, 104. For instance, by controlling theoperation of the upper and lower heating element arrays 102, 104, thecontroller 204 may be configured to control the various operating modesof the oven appliance 100, such as baking, roasting, broiling, cleaningand/or any other suitable operations.

It should be appreciated that controller 204 may generally comprise anysuitable processor-based device known in the art. Thus, in severalembodiments, controller 204 may include one or more processor(s) andassociated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety ofcomputer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term “processor”refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as beingincluded in a computer, but also refers to a controller, amicrocontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits. Additionally, the memory of controller 204 may generallycomprise memory element(s) including, but are not limited to, computerreadable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readablenon-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compactdisc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digitalversatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memorymay generally be configured to store suitable computer-readableinstructions that, when implemented by the processor(s), configurecontroller 204 to perform various computer-implemented functions, suchas by implementing embodiments of the heating element array operatingalgorithm disclosed herein. In addition, controller 204 may also includevarious other suitable components, such as a communications circuit ormodule, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or thelike.

Turning back to FIG. 1, oven appliance 100 may also include a controlpanel 200 on casing 140. Control panel 200 may include one or moreuser-interface elements 202 (e.g., buttons, knobs, etc.) for receivinguser inputs associated with controlling the operation of oven appliance100. For instance, a user may utilize the user-interface elements 202 toinput a desired oven temperature into controller 204. Controller 204 maythen control the operation of oven appliance 100 (e.g., byactivating/deactivating one or more of the first and second zones 105,106 of upper heating element array 102 and the first and second zones107, 108 of lower heating element array 104) so as to adjust theinternal temperature within cooking chamber 112 of housing 110 to theuser-selected temperature and/or to maintain the internal temperature atsuch user-selected temperature.

Moreover, controller 204 may be communicatively coupled to upper andlower temperature sensors 206, 208, e.g., for monitoring the internaltemperature within cooking chamber 112 of housing 110. Specifically,upper and lower temperature sensors 206, 208 may be configured totransmit temperature measurements to controller 204. Controller 204 maythen control the operation of the upper heating element array 102 andlower heating element array 104 based on the temperature measurements soas to heat the oven temperature up to and/or maintain such temperatureat the user-selected temperature.

Accordingly, controller 204 is in operative communication with upperheating element array 102, lower heating element array 104, uppertemperature sensors 206 and lower temperature sensors 208. Controller204 is configured for independently operating each of the first zone 105of upper heating element array 102, the second zone 106 of upper heatingelement array 102, the first zone 107 of lower heating element array 104and the second zone 108 of lower heating element array 104. Controller204 may operate the first zone 105 of upper heating element array 102 inresponse to temperature measurements from a first one of uppertemperature sensors 206, and controller 204 may operate the second zone106 of upper heating element array 102 in response to temperaturemeasurements from a second one of upper temperature sensors 206.Similarly, controller 204 may operate the first zone 107 of lowerheating element array 104 in response to temperature measurements from afirst one of lower temperature sensors 208, and controller 204 mayoperate the second zone 108 of lower heating element array 104 inresponse to temperature measurements from a second one of lowertemperature sensors 208.

Controller 204 may regulate the power output of the first zone 105 ofupper heating element array 102, the second zone 106 of upper heatingelement array 102, the first zone 107 of lower heating element array 104and the second zone 108 of lower heating element array 104 using anysuitable method or mechanism. For example, controller 204 may utilize atriode for alternating current (TRIAC) and/or pulse-width modulation ofa voltage supplied to a solid state relay to regulate the power outputof each of the first zone 105 of upper heating element array 102, thesecond zone 106 of upper heating element array 102, the first zone 107of lower heating element array 104 and the second zone 108 of lowerheating element array 104.

By independently operating the first zone 105 of upper heating elementarray 102, the second zone 106 of upper heating element array 102, thefirst zone 107 of lower heating element array 104 and the second zone108 of lower heating element array 104, a cooking performance of ovenappliance 100 may be facilitated. In particular, such operating mayprovide uniform energy distribution to a food product within cookingchamber 112. For example, the opening 114 of housing 110 can provide alarge thermal gradient between bottom and top portion 120, 122 ofcooking chamber 112. Controller 204 may operate the zones of upper andlower heating element arrays 102, 104 to provide particular and/orunique amounts of power and energy to predefined zones in order toevenly heat the food product within cooking chamber 112.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oven appliance, comprising: a housing defininga cooking chamber, the housing also defining a regulating air ducthaving a regulating air entrance for receiving a flow of air; an upperheating element array positioned within the housing at a top portion ofthe cooking chamber; a baking stone positioned within the housing at abottom portion of the cooking chamber; a lower heating element arraypositioned within the housing below the baking stone adjacent the bottomportion of the cooking chamber; and a baffle positioned within thehousing below the lower heating element array, the baffle comprising anupper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate defining a plurality ofholes, the lower plate also defining a plurality of holes, the holes ofthe upper plate being offset from the holes of the lower plate, theholes of the lower plate contiguous with the regulating air duct of thehousing such that the flow of air enters the baffle through the holes ofthe lower plate.
 2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises a pair of side panels positioned at the cooking chamber of thehousing, the side panels of the pair of side panels defining a pluralityof inlet openings and a plurality of outlet openings, the plurality ofinlet openings of the pair of side panels positioned below the bakingstone and above the upper plate of the baffle, the plurality of outletopenings of the pair of side panels positioned at the cooking chamber,the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panels positionedsuch that the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panelsdirect the flow of air into the cooking chamber.
 3. The oven applianceof claim 2, wherein the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of sidepanels are positioned below the upper heating element array.
 4. The ovenappliance of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a rearpanels positioned at the cooking chamber of the housing, the rear panelalso defining a plurality of inlet openings and a plurality of outletopenings, the plurality of inlet openings of the rear panel positionedbelow the baking stone and above the upper plate of the baffle, theplurality of outlet openings of the rear panel positioned at the cookingchamber, the plurality of outlet openings of the rear panel positionedsuch that the plurality of outlet openings of the rear panel direct theflow of air into the cooking chamber.
 5. The oven appliance of claim 2,further comprising a casing that defines a venting channel, the housingfurther defining an opening for accessing the cooking chamber, theventing channel extending between an entrance and an exit, the entranceof the venting channel positioned over the opening of the housing, theexit of the venting channel positioned above the entrance of the ventingchannel, the exit of the venting channel positioned such that the exitof the venting channel is exposed to interior room ambient atmosphereabout the housing, the exit of the venting channel configured fordirecting cooking fumes from the venting channel into the interior roomambient atmosphere about the housing.
 6. The oven appliance of claim 5,wherein the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panels ispositioned below the entrance of the venting channel.
 7. The ovenappliance of claim 6, wherein further comprising a smoke reductioncatalyst positioned within the venting channel of the casing at theentrance of the venting channel.
 8. The oven appliance of claim 1,wherein the housing further defines an opening for accessing the cookingchamber, the baking stone having a front half positioned adjacent theopening of the housing within the cooking chamber of the housing and arear half positioned opposite the opening of the housing within thecooking chamber of the housing, the holes of the upper plate distributedsuch that more of the holes of the upper plate are positioned below therear half of the baking stone than the front half of the baking stone.9. The oven appliance of claim 8, wherein no less than twice as many ofthe holes of the upper plate are positioned below the rear half of thebaking stone than the front half of the baking stone.
 10. The ovenappliance of claim 8, wherein the holes of the upper plate positionedbelow the rear half of the baking stone are distributed in a diamond andthe holes of the upper plate positioned below the front half of thebaking stone are distributed in a line.
 11. The oven appliance of claim1, wherein the holes of the upper plate are positioned proximate acentral portion of the upper plate, and the holes of the lower platepositioned are proximate edge portions of the lower plate.
 12. The ovenappliance of claim 1, further comprising an air handler configured forurging air into the regulating air duct.
 13. The oven appliance of claim12, further comprising a casing mounted to the housing, the casingdefining a regulating air exit that is aligned within the regulating airentrance of the air duct, the air handler disposed within the casing.14. An oven appliance, comprising: a housing defining an open cookingchamber, the open cooking chamber contiguous with interior room ambientatmosphere about the housing via an opening defined by the housing at afront portion of the housing, the housing further defining a regulatingair duct having a regulating air entrance for receiving a flow of air;an upper heating element array positioned within the housing at a topportion of the cooking chamber; a baking stone positioned within thehousing at a bottom portion of the open cooking chamber; a lower heatingelement array positioned within the housing below the baking stoneadjacent the bottom portion of the cooking chamber; a casing defining aventing channel, the venting channel extending between an entrance andan exit, the entrance of the venting channel positioned over the openingof the housing such that cooking fumes within the open cooking chamberare received by the entrance of the venting channel at the opening ofthe housing, the exit of the venting channel positioned above theentrance of the venting channel, the exit of the venting channelpositioned such that the exit of the venting channel is contiguous withthe interior room ambient atmosphere about the housing, the exit of theventing channel configured for directing the cooking fumes within theventing channel into the interior room ambient atmosphere about thehousing; a smoke reduction catalyst positioned within the ventingchannel of the casing; and a baffle positioned within the housing belowthe lower heating element array, the baffle comprising an upper plateand a lower plate, the upper plate defining a plurality of holes, thelower plate also defining a plurality of holes, the holes of the upperplate being offset from the holes of the lower plate, the holes of thelower plate contiguous with the regulating air duct of the housing suchthat the flow of air enters the baffle through the holes of the lowerplate.
 15. The oven appliance of claim 14, wherein the housing comprisesa pair of side panels positioned at the cooking chamber of the housing,the side panels of the pair of side panels defining a plurality of inletopenings and a plurality of outlet openings, the plurality of inletopenings of the pair of side panels positioned below the baking stoneand above the upper plate of the baffle, the plurality of outletopenings of the pair of side panels positioned at the cooking chamber,the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panels positionedsuch that the plurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panelsdirect the flow of air into the cooking chamber.
 16. The oven applianceof claim 15, wherein the plurality of outlet openings of the pair ofside panels are positioned below the upper heating element array. 17.The oven appliance of claim 15, wherein the outlet openings of theplurality of outlet openings of the pair of side panels are positionedbelow the entrance of the venting channel.
 18. The oven appliance ofclaim 14, wherein the baking stone has a front half positioned adjacentthe opening of the housing within the cooking chamber of the housing anda rear half positioned opposite the opening of the housing within thecooking chamber of the housing, the holes of the upper plate distributedsuch that more of the holes of the upper plate are positioned below therear half of the baking stone than the front half of the baking stone.19. The oven appliance of claim 18, wherein no less than twice as manyof the holes of the upper plate are positioned below the rear half ofthe baking stone than the front half of the baking stone.
 20. The ovenappliance of claim 18, wherein the holes of the upper plate positionedbelow the rear half of the baking stone are distributed in a diamond andthe holes of the upper plate positioned below the front half of thebaking stone are distributed in a line.